Raquel Zimmermann by Inez & Vinoodh for Vogue Nippon March 2011

Inspired by the iconic film stars Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Vogue Nippon taps top model Raquel Zimmermann and choreographer Stephen Galloway to get into the groove. Photographed by Inez & Vinoodh with styling by George Cortina, Raquel wears some of the season’s most vibrant and elegant gowns from the likes of Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent and Salvatore Ferragamo in Fred and Ginger.

This was a great concept, but it lacks all of the charm and grace of the original Fred & Ginger. Beautiful movement and dynamism in the fabrics of the dresses, but Raquel’s modeling/posture starts to bring down the whole shoot for me. It’s not horrible, but I’m just saying that some of the photos don’t seem to work (they fall into a grey medium between attempting to portray dancers’ stage presence/movement/grace and maintaining the necessary drama of an editorial). The original Fred & Ginger dynamic was not one of a teacher and student; they were such an equally vivacious, charming, and talented duo. I’m just slightly disappointed, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers deserve a proper homage.

This was a great concept, but it lacks all of the charm and grace of the original Fred & Ginger. Beautiful movement and dynamism in the fabrics of the dresses, but Raquel’s modeling/posture starts to bring down the whole shoot for me. It’s not horrible, but I’m just saying that some of the photos don’t seem to work (they fall into a grey medium between attempting to portray dancers’ stage presence/movement/grace and maintaining the necessary drama of an editorial). The original Fred & Ginger dynamic was not one of a teacher and student; they were such an equally vivacious, charming, and talented duo. I’m just slightly disappointed, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers deserve a proper homage.

The penultimate shot is to die for. But Galloway really is the star of this shoot. The styling is doing most of Raquel’s work for her. I think there are other girls more adept at movement (Coco Rocha, perhaps?) that could have elevated this from beautiful to downright electric.

The penultimate shot is to die for. But Galloway really is the star of this shoot. The styling is doing most of Raquel’s work for her. I think there are other girls more adept at movement (Coco Rocha, perhaps?) that could have elevated this from beautiful to downright electric.